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Friday, November 21, 2014

Erica Rivera Interviews Jenny McCarthy

Q&A: Jenny
McCarthy

Jenny McCarthy has had her fingers in a lot of pies. From
penning New York Times bestsellers to posing for Playboy to starring in NBC sitcoms
to co-hosting The View, McCarthy has maximized her outspoken, sexy brand in
showbiz. Her latest venture is Dirty Sexy Funny, a radio show and comedy tour
featuring an all-female lineup.

We spoke to the newly married 42-year-old MILF in
anticipation of her stop at Treasure Lake Island Casino.

Q: You’ve taken several female comedians under your wing
for the Dirty Sexy Funny tour. What inspired you to share the spotlight?

A: It all happened about three-and-a-half years ago
when I went to a comedy club in L.A.
for chick night. While I was sitting there laughing my butt off, I thought,
“There are all these guy troupes. Where’s a troupe of women?” For three years,
I went from club to club across the country and handpicked the funniest group
of women. We did a special for Epix and it was very successful and rolled into
radio, which I’m doing now, and we’ve been on tour for the past seven months.
These girls are getting the attention they need. A lot of people make the
mistake thinking that they can’t share a spotlight and I think the opposite.
Everyone has a place for success; they just need help getting there.

Q: What advice do you have for women who are trying
to break into the boys’ club?

A: Stay true to you. The stories that I’ve heard from
the women is that they don’t get the hot spots and they get sexually harassed.
But what I tell them is what got them there is their point of view and not to
let the boys scare them into changing that.

Q: You’re a no-holds-barred person. When is honesty
not the best policy?

A: When it hurts someone personally. There are some
things that are meant to be held back. In terms of standup comedy, the majority
of the time, the girls are self-deprecating. They find a common topic and make
fun of that. That’s the jewel of comedy. If it gets too personal, where you’re
picking on people who can’t defend themselves, I think that’s a different
story.

Q: The press has not always been kind to you. How do
you cope with criticism?

A: I have been really into spirituality since I moved
out to Los Angeles.
It’s why I’ve managed to stay in this game. When I hear criticism, it’s usually
coming from a place where people are feeling bad about themselves and they
project it. I’ve been guilty of it myself. My philosophy is love yourself and
you’ll love what you see. If you hate yourself, you’ll hate what you see. I try
not to take anything personally and that’s saved my life.

Q: Your son Evan is 12 years old. What are you going
to do when he starts Googling and finds unflattering things about you online?

A: I have protection on his devices, which won’t
protect him forever, but it’s giving me time to instill self-worth and teach
him what I’ve learned about criticism. He’s experiencing criticism in school.
Bullies are everywhere. I taught him the philosophy that bullies have “yuckies”
built up inside of them. They feel bad and want to pass the yuckies. They pass
them by saying mean things and the only way you can catch the yuckies is if you
believe the things they say to you. [I’ve taught him to ] feel empathetic, have
compassion, walk away and let them fix their own yuckies. I’ve explained to him
that Mommy has bullies also and he doesn’t see me taking on the yuckies.

Q: You wed Donny Wahlberg [of New Kids on the Block
fame] in August. What has been the most surprising thing about marriage the
second time around?

A: How much more at peace you are the second time
around, mainly because it has to do with who you chose but also because you know
who you are. A lot of people get married young and don’t have an identity yet
and that’s what happened with me. I went with the philosophy of “I’m a Midwest girl. I need to be married and have a baby before
30,” not with the criteria of “I’m going to wait to find the right one.” I
never thought I would get married again until I found my best friend, my best
lover, my best reflection of who I am and want to be. He’s been a blessing in
my life.

Q: Where you a New Kids on the Block fan back in the
day?

A: I was a radio fan. I wouldn’t call myself a
“blockhead.” Now that I’ve gone to 27 concerts, I feel like I missed out on
their beginning years. They have such great messages and put on a great show.
It’s not manufactured, it’s authentic. I’m no doubt a number one fan now.

Q: What is your favorite New Kids on the Block song?

A: Old-school, I’d say “Please Don’t Go Girl.”

Q: I heard you’re going to do a cookbook with your
mother-in-law?

A: We haven’t even announced it or started working on
it yet, but Alma, who I love dearly, always wants to share her stories and she
loves to cook. Being that I’ve written ten books, I thought, “Why don’t we
incorporate these emotional stories—you know, having nine kids—and create a
cookbook?” My goal is by Mother’s Day of next year.

Q: How does she feel about your wild past and the
Playboy spreads?

A: She has been the most open and wonderful
mother-in-law and accepts me. Like any mom, her big thing is, “Does this person
make my son happy?” and whenever we’re together, she’s glowing.